January 2011

Whence cometh evil?

Whence cometh evil? This solemn question has boggled the minds of
men throughout the centuries. In this study we will consider the origin
of evil, as set forth in the Bible. The Scriptures tell us that God is “om-
nipotent” and that “there is none good but one, that is, God” (Rev. 19:6;
Mat. 19:17). In other words, God is the embodiment of goodness and
power. And since God is essentially good, it follows that His will must be
good also, and hence the Bible speaks of “that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:2). Now as long as God was the only Be-
ing in existence, there was no evil, for God alone is good. So what is the
origin of evil? Did God become evil in the course of time? No, not at all,
for He has plainly stated: “I am the LORD, I change not”. (Mal. 3:6).
What then? Did God create evil, perhaps not willingly, but due to igno-
rance? Again the answer is negative. The “only wise God” does not make
mistakes (Jude 1:25). The first chapter of the book of Genesis provides
us with an account of the creation of the world, and we are explicitly
told that “God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was
very good.” (Gen. 1:31). Please note: How much of God’s creation was
“very good”? The answer is plain: “every thing that he had made”. Now,
if God is not evil, did not become evil, and did not create evil, then
what is the origin of evil? Evidently, we must look for the source of evil
outside of God.
The Bible informs us that the conflict of the ages – the great controversy
between good and evil – is not a battle between two abstract and indefin-
able forces, but rather a cosmic conflict between two personal beings:
Christ and Satan. The former is the embodiment of goodness, whereas
the latter is the embodiment of evil. Now here it is important to note
that the enemy of Christ, whom the Bible refers to as Satan, or the devil,
is not some reddish figure with two horns, cloven hoofs, a trident and
a tail. That mythological figure, often depicted in cartoons, is nothing
but a superstitious remainder of the Middle Ages. The Biblical devil,
however, once was a glorious angel called Lucifer, (meaning light-bearer,)
who rebelled against God by starting a revolution in heaven, and was
subsequently cast down upon the earth. Thus the light of Lucifer went
out, and he has ever since veiled himself in darkness, and is therefore
called the devil, or Satan, which means “adversary”. This mighty angel is
the adversary of Jesus Christ and the enemy of God, who together with
his legions of fallen angels, also known as demons, “deceiveth the whole
world”. (Revelation 12:9).
But how did Lucifer become the devil? How could a good and holy angel
become the epitome of evil? The twenty-eighth chapter of the book of
Ezekiel gives us some interesting insights with regard to Lucifer and his
fall. Here we learn that Lucifer was “the anointed cherub that covereth”
(Ezekiel 28:14) – he fulfilled the highest position an angel could possibly
get. We might consider him to be the prime-minister of the government
of heaven. He was also “full of wisdom” (Ezekiel 28:12). We might say,
that of all the angels in heaven, Lucifer was the greatest theologian, the
most accomplished scholar, and the wisest of all philosophers. More-
over, he was also “perfect in beauty”. He was extremely handsome – his
splendour surpassed the beauty of all the movie stars of Hollywood. In
addition, Lucifer was also rich in possessions and was adorned with the
costliest jewellery – “every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius,
topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sap-
phire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold”. (Ezekiel 28:11). But
even that wasn’t all, for Lucifer was also extremely talented. Said the
prophet, “the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared
in thee in the day that thou wast created.” These words basically express
the idea that Lucifer had a special vocal cord – he was an exceptionally
talented musician.
Thus the Bible tells us that Lucifer had everything people desire today:
he had position, he had a brilliant mind, he had beauty, he had pos-
sessions, he had talent. God had blessed Lucifer with every possible
blessing, so that this mighty angel “sealed up the sum”. Think about
it. Lucifer had everything he could
possibly desire, so that there was not
the slightest reason for his rebellion
against God.
So what happened? Why did Lucifer
revolt against the Almighty? Did God
perhaps make a mistake when he
created Lucifer? No, not in the least,
for the Scriptures tell us about this
mighty angel, “Thou wast perfect
in thy ways from the day that thou
wast created, till iniquity was found
in thee.” (Ezekiel 28:15). Lucifer was
created as a perfect being, but there
came a time when “iniquity”, or sin,
was found in his heart. What hap-
pened? Said the prophet, “Thine
heart was lifted up because of thy
beauty, thou hast corrupted thy
wisdom by reason of thy brightness”.
(Ezekiel 28:17). Instead of being
grateful for all the blessings God had
bestowed upon him, Lucifer’s beauty
made him proud and arrogant, and
his pride had a delusional effect on
his mind – it corrupted his wisdom.
False philosophy entered the mind of
Lucifer.
The prophet Isaiah tells us that Lu-
cifer said in his heart: “I will ascend
into heaven, I will exalt my throne
above the stars of God: I will sit also
upon the mount of the congregation,
in the sides of the north: I will ascend
above the heights of the clouds; I will
We wish all our
readers a blessed and
happy New Year!
“Another year of life is now in
the past. A new year is open-
ing before us. What will be its
record? What will we each in-
scribe upon its spotless pages?
The manner in which we spend
each passing day will decide
this question ...
If we connect with God, the
source of peace, and light,
and truth, His Spirit will flow
through us as a channel, to re-
fresh and bless all around us.
This may be the last year of life
to us. Shall we not enter upon
it with thoughtful consid-
eration? Shall not sincerity,
respect, benevolence, mark our
deportment toward all? ...
May the beginning of this year
be a time that shall never be
forgotten--a time when Christ
shall come in among us, and
say, “Peace be unto you.” John
20:19.”
(Our High Calling, p. 7)
be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:13, 14). Please note the selfishness in
these words: “I will... I will... I will...,” etc. Evidently, Satan is full of self.
Please note how Satan introduced the theory of evolution: “I will be like
the most High.” Satan believed that he could evolve and become God’s
equal. This was the grand delusion which caused his fall from heaven.
Indeed, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a
fall.” (Proverbs 16:18).
Because of his rebellion, Satan was cast down to earth, where he de-
ceived Adam and Eve by tempting them to eat of the forbidden fruit.
“Ye shall be as gods”, he said, “knowing good and evil.” Again, we have
here the doctrine of evolution. But we all know what happened, don’t
we? Did our ancestors evolve into Godhood? Not in the least. They ate
of the forbidden fruit, were driven out of paradise, and ultimately died.
And we, their children, have inherited their same sinful disposition. We
are naturally inclined to do what is evil. But thank God for Jesus Christ,
by whom we are delivered, not only from the guilt, but also from the
power of sin.
And what a wonderful Saviour He is! Just think about the mighty con-
trast between Lucifer and Jesus Christ! Satan said in his heart, “I will as-
cend into heaven”. But almost two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ, the
Lord of heaven himself, came down to earth. Satan said in his heart, “I
will exalt my throne above the stars of God”. Now in the Bible stars are
often used as a symbol for angels, as in the book of Revelation, where
“the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches” (Rev. 1:20). Thus
Satan basically said: “I will exalt my throne above the angels of God”.
But what did Jesus do? He left his throne in heaven and “was made a
little lower than the angels for the suffering of death,” and by the grace
of God he tasted “death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9). Moreover, Satan
said in his heart: “I will be like the most High.”
Please note what a mighty contrast exists between Satan and Jesus
Christ, who by nature was “in the form of God” and “equal with God”,
“but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of
a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in
fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:6-7). Do you see how
these two beings are absolutely contrary to one another? Satan exalted
himself; Jesus “humbled himself”. Satan desired to ascend into heaven;
but Jesus Christ came down to earth. Satan wanted to reign over the
angels of God; but Jesus “took upon him the form of a servant” and “was
made a little lower than the angels”. Satan sought to exalt his throne;
but Jesus traded his throne for a manger. Satan wanted to be as God; yet
Jesus, who had been God “from everlasting”, “was made in the likeness
of men”, and died the death which we deserve, in order that He might
give us the life which He has ever possessed. (Micha 5:2; Romans 8:4).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
(John 3:16).
And now God “hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the
head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22). And it is written
concerning him: “let all the angels of God worship him.” (Hebrews 1:6).
After ascending into heaven Jesus Christ was “set down at the right hand
of the throne of God”. (Hebrews 12:2). Yea, He is “set down” with His
Father “in his throne,” and hence it is called “the throne of God and of
the Lamb” (Rev. 3:21; Rev. 22:3). And thus Christ has accomplished all
that Satan covets for himself. Christ holds the position which Satan de-
sires. Christ possesses the glory which Satan longs for. Christ receives the
honour which Satan ascribes to himself. Christ receives the praise which
Satan covets. Christ possesses the power which Satan lusts after. The only
thing which Satan does not desire is the character of Christ.
Lucifer wanted to be wiser than Wisdom, and thus manifested the sum-
mit of folly. He strove to be mightier than Omnipotence, only to prove
the frailty of his own existence. In claiming more freedom than Liberty,
he unleashed the woes of tyranny and oppression. He pretended to be
more loving than Charity, and thus revealed the delusional nature of self-
ishness. He considered himself to be brighter than the Father of lights,
and thereby disclosed the depths of darkness. Ultimately, Lucifer imag-
ined himself more glorious than the LORD of glory, and thus unleashed
his own malignity. But instead of ascending into heaven, Lucifer entered
the gates of hell. By turning to self, he separated from God.
Now in the light of what we have discussed, let me ask again: Whence
cometh evil? “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come
they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” (James
4:1). Can it not be properly said of Satan: “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill,
and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not,
because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye
may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:2, 3). Sin originated in self-
seeking. But selfishness can never be satisfied.
Do you want to be happy, dear reader? Then be wise, deny yourself, take
up your cross, and follow Jesus. For this is the only road to happiness.
Selfishness is the summit of evil, the dismay of men, and the doom of
devils. It is the predator which haunts the wicked, while they themselves
are haunting the wind. If we want to find true happiness, and true
satisfaction, then let us come to Jesus. May the following words of James
Proctor inspire us all:

I’ve tried in vain a thousand ways

My fears to quell, my hopes to raise;
But what I need, the Bible says,
Is ever, only Jesus.
My soul is night, my heart is steel –
I cannot see, I cannot feel;
For light, for life, I must appeal
In simple faith to Jesus.
He died, He lives, He reigns, He pleads;
There’s love in all His words and deeds;
There’s all a guilty sinner needs
Forevermore in Jesus.
Tho’ some should sneer, and some should blame,
I’ll go with all my guilt and shame;
I’ll go to Him because His Name,
Above all names, is Jesus.
Ministry Update:
Generation of Youth for Christ - Dec. 29 to Jan. 02, 2011

As you might probably have read in one of our previous news-

letters, we have been exhibiting at GYC – Generation of Youth
for Christ in Baltimore. It has been a true blessing so far. We were
able to serve at Yasar Eden booth with information and flyers
about our ministry. We were inspired and motivated. The Lord has
been sending brethren who feel urged to support the gospel work
in Germany.
Another true blessing we experienced was to see the leadership
of GYC striving to support overseas and European ministries and
trying to connect them.
At this point I would like to call attention to a website that needs
to be made known as well as used: www.adventconnect.org This
website is in the process of listing all known – if big or small –
ministries that exist worldwide. If you have a ministry, you can
upload information, videos, audio files etc. on that website. If you
don’t have a ministry but know somebody who should be repre-
sented on that website, please let them know about it.

The Great Controversy - New Edition

- Full-length illustrated
- Printed in five languages:
- English
- German
- Danish
- Swedish
- Norsk

For more information please contact us or

send an email to: julian@oko-tryk.dk
 Our ministry did move!
We were praying several months about a place in
Germany as our ministry location. Before we had lived in
the Netherlands, but living there while working in Germany
made things kind of complicated. Our prayers were
answered and our hearts are filled with gratitude, that we
can present to you now our new ministry address:

Lienberg 30
78713 Schramberg
Germany

Phone: +49 (0)7422 - 994 171 0

Please don’t use the Postbox address anymore. Thank you!

Also, our Website got up-dated! Take a look at it...

www.yasar-eden.org - yasareden@ymail.com

A thought to think upon:

On earth it is not a matter of life and death, but it’s about
eternal life and eternal death.